Starter motor removal question

[smittykid]

Went to start the 29 Fordor this AM and when I hit the starter button-nothing. Battery is ok, all switches on. I thought it might be the starter switch on top so I removed it and tried it on my 29 Coupe. I noticed that the threaded end of the starter rod was bent. It has been starting just fine. When I tried it on the Coupe it worked fine. It appears I have a problem with the starter motor itself. I followed Les Andrews' instructions on removing it. I got the 3 bolts out (top one last). Tried to lift it up & out. No dice. It's on there pretty good. I'm soaking the seam with B'Laster. How should I break it free? I don't want to damage anything in or on the starter. Should I try to pry it loose with a screwdriver, tap it with a hammer? That starter has probably not been removed in a good 40 years. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a million! Smitty

[Mitch//pa]

wack it with a block of wood and hammer

[smittykid]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

wack it with a block of wood and hammer

I'll probably be doing this alone. I'm guessing I should thread that top bolt back in partially so when it breaks free (I hope) it won't fall. Where exactly should I "whack" it?

[Mitch//pa]

i usually wackem on the ass end

[Mitch//pa]

maybe your bendix is stuck in the ring gear and thats why it wont turn over
can you turn the motor over by hand in neutral???

[smittykid]

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Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

maybe your bendix is stuck in the ring gear and thats why it wont turn over
can you turn the motor over by hand in neutral???

I'll try that tomorow with the crank and report back.

[Mitch//pa]

if you cant turn the motor try rocking the car in gear to free it.....

[Indiana A. Lover]

I just wanted to put in my 2 cents Leave one bolt in till free. I know from 40 years of working on old great mechanical pieces. Be care full dont get your finger smashed. Don in In.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Locking starters are just a part of Model A's----------Usually caused by NOT pushing the spark lever to the top, when cranking. Put it in high gear & rock the car backwards, to free it. I'LL GRUNT FOR YOU!---(OOPS, I just farted!) The Dog's LAFFIN'
Bill W.

[glenn in camino]

First drain the water and remove the water inlet.

[700rpm]

Gotta disagree with my friend Glenn. The starter will come out without removing any other parts or draining water. Except maybe if you have an aftermarket oil breather tube installed.

BTW, Glenn, not to hijack this thread, but I installed the molding I bought from you for my coupe, and it looks beautiful!

[Henry1953]

I had to hit mine pretty hard with a block of wood and hammer to free it the first time I took it off. Leave the top bolt in part way to keep it from falling out when it frees. Just removed it last week to work on the steering and it came right off this time.

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by 700rpm

Gotta disagree with my friend Glenn. The starter will come out without removing any other parts or draining water. Except maybe if you have an aftermarket oil breather tube installed...

If you have an F100 steering gear, the water inlet has to come off to get the stock starter off.

[mshmodela]

Smitty, good luck, I pulled mine for the first time 2 weeks ago.. . follow the experts advice above.

[700rpm]

Originally Posted by CarlG

If you have an F100 steering gear, the water inlet has to come off to get the stock starter off.

He didn't say anything about an F100 box, so I assumed it's stock.

[Mitch//pa]

Happy Birthday Smitty

[smittykid]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

Happy Birthday Smitty

Thanks, Mitch! I'm going to try & turn the engine over in neutral with the crank later this AM & go from there. Thanks to all for all the help!! I'll keep everyone updated.

[Tim B.]

I tend agree with the locked starter theory group. If the starter is bad and bendix is not stuck it won't take much of a tap to free it up. You may want to invest in a nice big rubber mallet. I have a nice large mallet with a heavy fiberglas handle that has screw in soft and hard rubber head ends that works great without damaging things. Keep your blows towards the very end of the starter body where it has the most strength and not on the body of the starter that will dent. Give it medium hits alternating between top, bottom and side to rock it loose. Leave the top bolt in place but loose so the starter doesn't fall when it pops loose.

[smittykid]

Here's my latest update. I put the car in neutral and tried to turn engine over with the crank. No dice, it wouldn't budge. Then I put her in reverse and tried rocking her back & forth. I got about a foot of movement-6" forward, 6" backward but that was it. So I got out the wood block and starting tapping. I got the starter out and have enclosed some pics. I have no idea what to look for. The main shaft seems to turn ok with no grinding noises. It's kind of tight, but it turns. That small gear closed to the starter spins freely on those large threads. Now what? There is a fellow fairly close to me who rebuilds starters. Thanks for all your input so far. Smitty

[MikeK]

The Bendix drive spring is severely bent. That's your problem. Caused by kickback while starting.